Torpedo



Nov. 13 1923. 1,474,027

w. E. FOLLIN TORPEDO Filed March 19, 1921 Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

WERNER E. FOLLIN, OFJ'AMESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND.

TORPEDO.

Application filed March 19, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W'nnxnn E. FoLLIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jamestown, Rhode Island, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in torpedoes and moreparticularly to an attachment device adapted to be associated with thesteering mechanism.

By way of explanation it might be stated that before torpedoes are putinto the service they are subjected to various tests under actualservice conditions and, of course, after each test it is necessary torecover the torpedo. It sometimes happens, however, that the torpedosinks at the end of the run and it is at times exceedingly difiicult torecover the same.

The present invention relates more par ticularly to a device adapted tobe associated with the steering mechanism of the torpedo adapted toprevent down rudder at the end of the run.

One of the objects of the present invention is, therefore, to provide adevice of the above general character which will be of simple andpractical construction.

A further object is to provide a mechanism that may be inexpensivelymanufactured, be exceedingly light in weight, may be easily installedand applied to torpedoes now in general use without mate riallymodifying or rearranging the parts.

A further object is to provide a device that will be reliable, durableand efiicient in use and operation.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointedout in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein likereference characters denote corresponding parts and in which is shownsuch parts of a torpedo as are necessary for one skilled in the art tofully understand the invention. In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the attachment, and,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Figure 1.

The function of this gear or device is to connect the action of thedistance gear with that of the horizontal steering engine in order thaton the functioning of the distance gear up horizontal rudder is insuredthereby preventing the torpedo from taking a deep dive at the and of therun.

Serial No. 453,857.

In the accompanying drawings 5 indicates a part of the distance gearwhich is provided with a stop plunger or lengthened shaft 6 pivotallyconnected by means of a small pin 7 with a link or arm 8. This arm 8 issecured to a cross shaft 10 mounted in a bracket 11 which is bolteddirectly or otherwise secured in any desired manner to the gear casing.On the other end of the shaft 10 is rigidly secured a second link or arm12 provided at its lower end with a small toe 13 secured thereto bymeans of screw 14: whereby it may be easily removed when desired.

The horizontal steering engine is indicated in dotted lines at 15 and isprovided with a shaft 16 which reciprocates back and forth as thesteering engine operates to move the horizontal rudders up and down.This shaft 16 is provided with two stops 17 and 18 between which isinterposed a lug 20 which limits the reciprocating movement of the shaft16.

It will be noted that the arm 12 is made in two parts hinged at 21 andsecured by nut 22 whereby on loosening the nut 22 the lower part of thearm 12 may be swung out of the way of the shaft 16 and coacting collars17 and 18. I

The operation of this device is substantially as follows The distancegear is set for any desired length of run and the toe 13 occupies acentral position with re spect to the collars l7 and 18 on thehorizontal steering engine valve rod and in no way interferes with thereciprocating action of the shaft 16. Upon functioning of the distancegear the plunger 6 moves towards the left causing the links 8 and 12 tomove the toe 13 relatively towards the right to engage the collar 18thereby pushing the horizontal steering engine valve rod or shaft 16 andcausing the engine to give neutral rudder. The control valve from thenon is held in this position. In the meantime, true to the functioning ofthe distance gear the air has been shut off in the torpedo and thecompressed air entrapped in the horizontal steering engine and continuesto hold the rudders in such position as to bring the torpedo t0 thesurface.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a simple, practicaland inexpensive mechanism adapted on operation of the distance gear toact upon t e horizontal steergear, a horizontal steering engine, interposed means acted upon by the distance gear said mechanism-including asystem of levers and a stop lug adapted to coact directly 10 with thehorizontal steering engine valve rod.

Signed at Newport, Rhode Island, this 19th day of February, 1921.

What I claim is: In a torpedo, in combination, a distance lock thesteering en'ginein fixed position, WERNER E. FOLLIN.

